STEVE Lloyd is convinced he can turn around Barnton’s fortunes and has warned his players he will replace them if their form does not improve.

The Villagers have failed to win any of eight games played to date this season, a hapless streak that has seen them concede 29 goals.

Visiting Hanley put five of those past them on Wednesday.

“I’ve proven in the past that if I see things I don’t like I’ll make changes,” said the Barnton manager.

“Every player is aware of that, and collectively they need to take ownership of the performances they’ve been putting in.

“The inconsistency is unacceptable, and individuals need to take a long, hard look at themselves.”

Penistone Church, from the Northern Counties East League’s, are due at Townfield for an FA Vase tie this afternoon.

Like Barnton, they have endured a difficult start to the campaign after losing five of their first seven Premier Division encounters.

However a stunning 3-2 home win against higher-ranked Whitby Town in the FA Cup last weekend has boosted fragile confidence.

Lloyd’s men had appeared to have put behind them a slow start when they recorded back-to-back draws against Congleton and Winsford, only to concede five goals for the fourth time this term in midweek.

He added: “We were second-best all over the field; Hanley attacked superbly, and we just couldn’t cope with them.

“It’s true that we’ve not had the easiest of starts, but that can’t be an excuse.

“We earned the right to be at this level last season, and we showed then that we won’t take things lying down.

“I can assure our supporters we’re working harder than ever to turn things around.”

Chris Kiernan will again stand in for injured Chris Davies in goal while Dan O’Connor – recruited from Bootle earlier this week – is available to play.

Jordan Stafford returns too, while midfielder Pete Aidley is included in a match-day squad for the first time this season.